MassimilianoAllegri insists Milan were not inferior to Fiorentina today despite their 3-1 home defeat and defended AlexandrePato.

The Rossoneri are plummeting down the standings after this setback at San Siro and are now only five points clear of the relegation zone.

“Fiorentina played well and kept possession, but we gifted them two goals from throw-ins. We did not react well and that is unacceptable.

“The Viola ran hard and pressed us around the field, but we were too deep and feel regret because they didn’t really have many chances aside from the ones we gave them.

“It was a fairly balanced encounter. Fiorentina kept possession, but it is chances that count in football.”

Allegri was criticised for picking Pato in the starting XI, especially after the Brazilian ballooned a penalty over the bar.

“Pato had done well on Tuesday, so I thought he would grow and improve by playing more. The problem is that our style of football needs us to run at full speed and playing every three days we can’t do that.

“Sometimes we have to play badly and try to get a result anyway. We ought to avoid the slips in concentration.

“It’s a shame about the results, as we could’ve gone up to sixth place today and did not manage it.”